UC Blue Ash Alum Will Light Up the Scoreboard at All-Star Game

UC Blue Ash College alumnus Billy Johnson will play an important role in making sure fans are informed and entertained at the upcoming Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Great American Ball Park (GABP).

Johnson is in his sixth season with the Cincinnati Reds and serves as producer/chyron specialist for the team. He works every home game as part of the production crew that is behind the player profiles, animations, graphics, music videos and other features that appear on the giant scoreboard above the left field stands at GABP.

When the Major League Baseball All-Star game comes to town on July 14, Johnson and his colleagues will be at work managing the scoreboard production. It’s fair to say that he’s looking forward to it. “I am just honored to have the privilege to be a part of this tremendous event,” said Johnson. “As a baseball fan and an employee of the Reds, this event will truly be one of the more exciting things I have experienced and that’s saying quite a lot because I have enjoyed some great moments with the Reds.”

Since the game is an official Major League Baseball event, the league will have the final say on what can be played on the scoreboard and when, but Johnson and the rest of the Reds crew will carry out the actual production.

Along with producing critical content for the scoreboard during home games, Johnson works full-time, year-round developing video projects for the Reds that include TV commercials, Redsfest, the Reds Fantasy Camp and spring training.

He grew up in Miami Heights as an avid sports fan. Johnson says that by combining his passion for sports and video, he has truly found his dream job. “Living my dream is a great feeling, and I never want to take it for granted.”

Johnson’s professional career started with an internship with the Reds that he secured while attending UC Blue Ash College, where he earned his degree in electronic media communications. “My education at UC Blue Ash gave me the skills and experience I needed,” he said. “I already had a lot of hands-on experience when I applied for my internship with the Reds and that’s why I was able to get it.”

While it’s unclear how the Cincinnati Reds will finish the 2015 baseball season or which league will win the All-Star game, one thing is certain; Billy Johnson will be there to keep score.

UC Blue Ash College is a regional college within the University of Cincinnati. It offers one of the best values in higher education with access to a nationally recognized UC education in nearly 50 degrees and certificates, as well as tuition that is about half of most colleges and universities. The college is located on a scenic 135-acre wooded campus in the heart of Blue Ash, Ohio. To learn more, call 513-745-5600, visit us online at www.ucblueash.edu, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.